Method for conserving resources during wireless handover of a dual mode mobile station

ABSTRACT

A method is described that is for handing over a multi-mode mobile device from a first network technology to a second network technology. The method includes initiating by the multi-mode mobile device a first packet session in a first wireless network and detecting by a multi-mode mobile device a second wireless network supporting a different access network technology. The method also includes determining a Quality of Service requirement and completing pre-registration session establishment procedures for a second session in the second wireless network when the first session includes at least one of a QoS sensitive service and real time service by the first wireless network and mobile device and after completion of the pre-registration session establishment procedures the multi-mode mobile device receives service from the first wireless network and remains dormant on the second wireless network.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/774,106, filed May 5, 2012, and now U.S. Pat. No. 8,194,615,which claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Applicationhave Application No. 61/180,401, filed May 21, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to intertechnology handover for multi-modemobile devices and in particular for network entry and sessionestablishment procedures initiated by multi-mode mobile devices prior tocompleting handover from a serving network to a target network, whichuses a different wireless technology, based on Quality of Servicerequirements for services supported by the multi-mode mobile device.

BACKGROUND

Dual-technology wireless networks are becoming more prevalent asoperators begin deploying 4G wireless broadband networks, such as LTEand WiMAX, in conjunction with their existing 2G and 3G networks whichinclude GSM, cdma2000, HRPD, UMTS, etc. These dual-technology networksmay be deployed in the form of 4G networks side by side with 2G/3Gnetworks to extend the wireless operators' network coverage, asoverlaying 4G networks over existing 2G/3G networks to add capacity inspecific areas, or a combination of both. Some examples ofdual-technology networks include LTE-HRPD, WiMAX-HRPD networks,WiMAX-GERAN/UTRAN networks, 3GPP2, WiMAX-WiFi networks, and others. Theymay also include dual-technology 4G networks such as joint WiMAX-LTEaccess networks.

In order to take advantage of the extended network coverage and networkcapacity dual technology networks offer, dual-technologymode/multi-technology mode mobile devices (MS) capable of supportingmultiple air interface technologies are required. As dual-technologywireless networks are deployed, wireless network operators are lookingfor ways to provide session continuity to customers across their dualtechnology networks as is currently available with the single technologynetwork using handovers. This requires inter-technology handover supportin the multi-mode MS and the heterogeneous joint access networks. Aninter-technology handover may become necessary due to deterioratingradio conditions at the serving technology network, load balancingbetween the heterogeneous networks, temporary service outage at theserving network, operator policy for dual mode MSs, user preference forservice in one technology network vs. another e.g. due to higherbandwidth, lower cost, or other reasons.

A packet session supported by a serving network may be comprised of oneor more ‘service flows’ or ‘service instances’ supporting one or morepacket type services. These may include, for example, Quality of Service(QoS) sensitive applications such as video streaming, gaming, voice overIP (VoIP) and other real time services where latency delays cannot betolerated, and applications such as email, web browsing, or instantmessaging with low QoS requirements where latency delays can betolerated with little impact to the user experience. Session continuityrefers to the ability to maintain an existing packet data session duringhandover from a serving base station, access point or network node to atarget base station, access point or network node that used differentwireless access technology. In order to maintain session continuity ofexisting packet data sessions during user mobility, a user's packetsession must be handed over from a current serving node to a targetnode. In the case of inter-technology handovers, the serving and targetnodes involved in the handoff support two different air interfacetechnologies or radio access types (RAT) and network standards ortechnologies. Hence, prior to the handover, a new session must first besetup and packet session established at the target network.

Call setup, initial network entry or session registration in a wirelessnetwork includes authentication, authorization, and packet sessionregistration procedures between the mobile device and the network.Handover in homogenous technology networks use standardized handoversignaling protocols to optimize moving a mobile device's packet sessionfrom a source or serving node to a target node. Because inter-technologyhandover signaling protocols are not specified, inter-technologyhandovers, i.e. handing over a packet data session from a servingtechnology network to a heterogeneous target technology network, requireinitial network entry procedures to be completed on the target networkfirst before the packet session active between the mobile device and theserving node can be handed off to the second heterogeneous technologynode.

Completion of initial network entry procedures at a target technologynode at the time of inter-technology handover is time consuming andresults in unacceptable latency delays and potential packet loss duringthe inter-technology handover. Depending on the air interface technologysupported by the mobile device and target technology network, completionof initial network entry procedures can take several seconds to achieve.These delays are unacceptable when handing off a packet data sessioncomprised of QoS sensitive real time services.

In order to minimize latency delays during inter-technology handover, amulti-technology mode mobile device in a dual or multi technologycoverage area may initiate network entry procedures at a targettechnology network prior to inter-technology handover is actuallyrequired while continuing to receive packet data service from theserving technology network. A multi mode MS continues receiving packetdata service via the serving network while communicating with the targettechnology network via air interface signaling native to the targettechnology network to complete initial network entry procedures andestablish a new packet session. Hence, a packet session is established,and network resources to support the packet session are allocated and‘reserved’ at the target technology network for the multi-mode mobiledevice until a handover is required. When an inter-technology handoverbecomes necessary or required, rather than having to complete theinitial network entry procedures and packet session establishment at thetarget technology network at the time of inter-technology handover, theuser's services are simply moved from the serving technology node to thepre-configured packet session at a target technology network noderesulting in seamless session continuity during inter-technologyhandover and minimal data loss than otherwise possible.

A dual or multi-mode mobile device includes dual receiver circuitryallowing it to receive signals from two heterogeneous technology nodesat the same time. These mobile devices include dual transmittercircuitry enabling them to transmit to two target nodes or base stationsconfigured to support two different air interface concurrently. Theyalso include mobile devices with single transmitter circuitry in whichcase the mobile device communicates with the target technology node by‘piggybacking’ or ‘encapsulating’ air interface signaling destined forthe target network within signaling destined to its current servingnetwork node. The serving network then forwards the mobile's airinterface signaling to the target technology network via aninter-technology network interface between the serving and targetnetworks.

Given the number of multi-mode devices that may be present at a giventime within a target technology network's coverage area, particularly inan ‘overlay’ type network, the resources consumed at the targettechnology network to complete initial network entry procedures andpacket session pre-establishment for potential inter-technologyhandovers from multi-mode mobile devices at a heterogeneous servingtechnology network may be significant. This results in degradation anddeterioration of network performance in the target technology networksince resources that may be allocated to potentially revenue generatingmobile devices either active in the target technology network oractually handing over to the network are instead allocated to multi-modemobile devices receiving service from another serving technology networkthat may handover to the target technology network at some time in thefuture or perhaps never at all.

Once initial network entry procedures are completed and a session ispre-established or reserved at the target technology network for aninter-technology handover that may occur in the future, there is noguarantee when the multi-mode mobile device will actually complete anincoming handover to the target technology network unless the handoveris initiated by the network, hence the resources associated withmaintaining the packet session may be allocated indefinitely. Thus,there is a need to be able to support seamless session continuity duringinter-technology handovers while minimizing resource requirements at thetarget technology network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which together with the detailed description below are incorporatedin and form part of the specification, serve to further illustratevarious embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages allin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an example wireless communication system having dual wirelesstechnology coverage in which embodiments of the invention operate.

FIG. 1 a is an example of a dual technology access network having anoverlay of networks using different technologies in which embodiments ofthe invention operate.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the method of multi-mode mobile deviceoperating in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the method of a base station operating inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements inthe figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help toimprove understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with thepresent invention, it should be observed that the embodiments resideprimarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus componentsrelated to method of conserving wireless resources during the handoverof a multi-mode mobile device. Accordingly, the apparatus components andmethod steps have been represented where appropriate by conventionalsymbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that arepertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention soas not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readilyapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of thedescription herein.

In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top andbottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity oraction from another entity or action without necessarily requiring orimplying any actual such relationship or order between such entities oractions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variationthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elementsdoes not include only those elements but may include other elements notexpressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, orapparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, withoutmore constraints, preclude the existence of additional identicalelements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprisesthe element.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention describedherein may be comprised of one or more conventional processors andunique stored program instructions that control the one or moreprocessors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processorcircuits, some, most, or all of the functions of the method ofconserving wireless resources during the handover of a multi-mode mobiledevice described herein. The non-processor circuits may include, but arenot limited to, a radio receiver, a radio transmitter, signal drivers,clock circuits, power source circuits, and user input devices. As such,these functions may be interpreted as steps of a method to perform themethod of conserving wireless resources during the handover of amulti-mode mobile device. Alternatively, some or all functions could beimplemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions,or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), inwhich each function or some combinations of certain of the functions areimplemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the twoapproaches could be used. Thus, methods and means for these functionshave been described herein. Further, it is expected that one of ordinaryskill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many designchoices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology,and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principlesdisclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such softwareinstructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.

According to the principles described, the present invention is directedto a method that includes initiating network entry and establishment ofpacket session services in a first session by a multi-mode mobiledevice. The first session supported by a source, serving, or first,wireless network in an area of dual or multi technology wirelesscoverage and provides packet data service to the multi-mode mobiledevice. The multi mode mobile device detects a target, or second,wireless network in the area of multi-technology wireless coverage wherethe mobile device can operate in both the serving and target networks.The method continues by the multi mode mobile device determining the QoSrequirements for its currently active services and currently beingserved by the serving technology network. When the packet service orservices supported by the serving network and multi-mode mobile deviceinclude one or more QoS sensitive real-time services, the methodcontinues with the multi mode mobile device initiating network entry andsession establishment procedures for a second session in the targetwireless network. Upon completion of initial network entry proceduresand packet session establishment at the target technology network, themethod continues with the multi mode mobile device continuing to receiveservice from the serving technology network while the second session atthe target network remains dormant or idle so that it is not providingpacket services to the multi-mode mobile device QoS sensitive real timepacket services supported via the first packet session. The multi-modemobile device can be handed over to the target technology networkwithout requiring initial network entry procedures or packet sessionestablishment to be completed at the target technology network, wheninter-technology handover is required. The described method isapplicable to multi mode mobile devices with dual mode transmittercircuitry or a single mode transmitter circuitry to operate in the firstand second networks. In an embodiment, the multi-mode mobile device willbe immediately handed over to the target network after the sessioninitiation is completed if it is thereafter determined that the Qualityof Service requirements for one or more services used by the mobiledevice are not QoS sensitive services or real time services.

In another embodiment, a method is disclosed where a network entity suchas a base station or signaling forwarding function detects initialnetwork entry signaling from a multi mode mobile device having a firstpacket session at a source, serving, or first, wireless network whereinthe initial network entry signaling is for establishing second packetsession at a target, or second, wireless network. The serving and targetnetworks may be providing radio coverage in a common area ofmulti-technology wireless coverage. The method also includes determiningif the initial network entry signaling from the multi-mode mobile deviceis for the purpose of packet session reservation at the target networkfor inter-technology handover while the multi-mode mobile device's firstsession is ongoing in the serving network. In addition, the methodincludes determining the QoS requirements for the packet servicessupported by the multi-mode mobile device and being served by theserving technology network. The target technology network will allowcompletion of network entry and packet session establishment for laterinter-technology handover only if one or more of the packet services inuse by the multi-mode mobile device and being served by the servingtechnology node include QoS sensitive real-time services. Moreover, themethod includes rejecting the multi-mode mobile device's request forinitial network entry and/or packet session establishment in response toinitial network entry signaling and/or packet session establishment forthe second session when there are no QoS sensitive services in use bythe mobile device and supported by the serving technology network forthe multi-mode mobile device. Depending on the air interface technologyin use at the target technology node, determination of QoS requirementsfor the multi-mode mobile device services may be determined duringinitial network entry or packet session establishment procedures.

Turning now to FIG. 1 there is shown a block diagram of amulti-technology wireless coverage area for a wireless system 100 inwhich the principles described operate. The multi-technology wirelesscoverage area can include a first network 102 using a first wirelesstechnology, such as a 2G/3G network, and a second network 104 using asecond wireless technology, such as a 4G network like WiMAX. Amulti-mode mobile device 106 operating within the system is constructedso that it can communicate using either the first or second networks102, 104. As can be understood, either the 2G/3G network or the 4Gnetwork can operate as the serving network in which the mobile device106 initially operates, and the 4G and the 2G/3G networks, respectively,can function as the target network for the mobile device.

The first, or 2G/3G, network 102 includes a number of base stations 108that transmit and receive messages to and from the multi-mode mobiledevices 106. As is known, the base stations 108 communicate with theradio network controller and packet control function 110 that, in anembodiment connects to the core network 112 via a packet data switchnode/foreign agent (PDSN/FA). In addition to the PDSN/FA, the corenetwork 112 includes a local authentication/authorization/accounting(AAA) node 116, foreign agent 118 and other necessary components for theoperation of the network 102/112. In addition, the system 100 canencompass a home service provider network that includes a home AAA node120, home agent 122 and billing server 124, which operate in knownmanners.

The second, or 4G, network 104 can include base stations 126, which canbe WiMAX base stations or other nodes such as eNode Bs, access points(APs) and the like. The base stations 126 connect into the core network112 through the foreign agent/routing agent (FA/RA) 118.

The base stations 108, 126 include the necessary components to operatein the 2G/3G or 4G networks, respectively, and include antennas 128,processors 130, memories 132 and transceivers 134 in knownconfigurations.

Multi-mode mobile device 106, which can be a cell phone, smartphone, laptop computer or other similar portable device, also includes thenecessary components to operate in the 2G/3G or 4G networks 102, 104.The mobile device includes an antenna 136, processor 138, memory 140 andtransceiver 142. To operate in both the first and second network themobile device may include circuitry supporting either a dualreceive/dual transmit transceiver or a dual receiver/single transmittransceiver. In addition, the multi-mode mobile device may include thenecessary 2G/3G card 144 and the 4G card 146 such as a WiMAX card.

FIG. 1 a is an illustration of a configuration of the first network 102,second network 104 and core network 112 in which the multi-mode mobilestation 106 operates. As seen, the arrangement of the service area forfirst network 102 and the service area for the second network are suchthat an overlay area 150 is provided. In the overlay area 150, mobilestation 106 can operate using either the first network 102 or the secondnetwork. In addition, FIG. 1 a shows that there are interfaces providedbetween the various networks. Accordingly, interface 152 is provided sothat the wireless technology in the first network can communicate withwireless technology in the second network. Interface 154 is provided sothat the first network can communicate with the core network 112, andinterface 156 is provided so that the second network can communicatewith the core network 112.

While multi-mode mobile devices 106 may be used to simultaneouslyreceive services from two technology heterogeneous networks 102, 104,e.g. video service from a 4G network and VoIP (voice over IP) servicefrom the 3G network, in the overlay area 150, their primary advantage isthe ability to perform seamless handovers between dual technologywireless networks without requiring changes to previously deployedwireless networks for inter-technology handover support. A dualreceive/dual transmit transceiver 142, upon detecting the need toperform a handover to a target network, initiates a network entry andpacket session establishment at the target technology network whileconcurrently receiving and transmitting radio signals and receivingservice from its serving technology network. Once network entry andpacket session establishment is completed at the target technologynetwork, the mobile device 106 performs a handover from the servingtechnology wireless network to the target technology wireless networkwhen required.

Multi mode dual receive/single transmit transceiver 142 is also capableof providing inter-technology handover support. A single transmittermulti mode device can only transmit on a single air interface technologyat a time and cannot ‘time share’ between the two networks 102, 104 fortransmission. In order to establish a packet data session and session onthe target technology network, the mobile device 106 transmits signalingfor the target network by encapsulating or ‘piggybacking’ it onto nativeair interface signaling on the serving network. This is known astunneling and requires a signaling link between the two networks totransfer signaling from the multi mode single transmitter device over tothe target technology network. For tunneling, a common IP core is usedsuch that a Policy and Charging Rules Function, Home Agent/LocalMobility Anchor, and AAA support both the 2G/3G network and the 4Gnetwork. The multi-mode mobile device 106 is also capable of beingsupported in both networks. A Signaling Forwarding Function (SFF) is alogical entity that provides tunneling support for the mobile devicebetween two heterogeneous access networks. The SFF allows the multi-modemobile device to operate in the first technology network and alsocommunicate with second technology networks via an air interfacesupported by the second network to communicate with base stations andaccess nodes using native air interface signaling sent as encapsulatedpayload in IP packets over the inter-RAN interface thereby providing aninterworking function for the 2G/3G or 4G network. The SFF may becollocated in the access network or may be a standalone entity.

The advantage of supporting inter-technology handover with singletransmitter devices is that they cost less than dual transceiver deviceswhile still being able to support inter-technology handovers. They alsodo not suffer from battery capacity and peak current issues since theyonly transmit on a single technology at a time.

The multi-mode mobile devices 106 described can provide seamless sessioncontinuity between serving and target networks such as the 2G/3G and 4Gnetworks 102, 104. Seamless session continuity facilitates handoverswith low latency delays and minimal packet loss, and is necessary forreal-time QoS sensitive applications. In order to ensure seamlesssession continuity during inter-technology handover, a new call andpacket session may be pre-established for the mobile device 106 at thetarget technology network while continuing packet services associatedwith the existing packet data session on the serving technology network.When an inter-technology handover becomes necessary, the packet sessionassociated with the multi-mode mobile device at the serving network isthen moved or ‘handed off’ to the pre-registered packet session at thetarget technology network thereby minimizing latency delays which wouldhave occurred if a new call and session had to be established at thetime of the handover. Therefore completing call setup and packet sessionprior to the handover taking place helps reduce latency delays andminimize packet loss during handover.

Pre-registration by establishing a call (initial network entry) andpacket session on a wireless network requires authentication,authorization, and registration procedures to be completed. Thisrequires processing resources to be allocated to the call or session.Once the call or session is established, resources must be allocated tothe call, e.g. authentication context, call context, packet context etc,to maintain the call. This is required for all multi-mode devices in anarea of dual technology or border coverage because otherwise thehandover latency would be unacceptable for a real time service such asVoIP or real time streaming video.

Pre-registration using initial network entry and packet sessionestablishment is beneficial to minimize latency delays duringinter-technology handover for QoS sensitive services such as VoIP andstreaming video. Pre-registration, however, is not so necessary forservices with low QoS requirements such as email, instant messaging,file downloads, texting, etc, because these services can easily toleratedelays without serious degradation in service or user experience. Thus,it is more important to provide call setup and pre-registration with atarget network if there are QoS sensitive or real-time services such asVoIP, video, or gaming being supported by the user's packet session inthe serving network. If the user's session supports non-real timesensitive services with low QoS requirements, early call setup andsession pre-registration at a target technology network does notnecessarily need to be performed and can be deferred until aninter-technology handover becomes necessary for any reason such asdeteriorating radio conditions at the serving technology network ornetwork instruction to perform inter-technology handover. Since a largenumber of dual mode devices may be present in a dual technology coveragearea at any given time, deferring network entry and sessionpre-registration at potential target technology networks until ahandover is required for such devices with no active real time servicescan reduce the processing load and resource requirements at the targettechnology network. This will free up resources and make them availablefor supporting revenue generating calls.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of a multi-mode mobiledevice 106 that is operating to complete initial network entry andpacket session establishment operations with a target network in a dualtechnology network. The multi-mode mobile device 106 has a current callor packet session on the serving network. It is understood that theserving network can be either the 2G/3G packet network or a 4G network,but for this example the serving network will be considered the 2G/3Gnetwork 102 and a target network within the dual technology coveragearea will be considered a 4G network 104. The mobile device 106continues to monitor 202 the air interface to determine if the alternatenetwork is available. At some point, the 4G network will be detected204. When the alternative technology network is detected or discovered,the mobile device determines if it is going to complete initial networkentry procedures with the target network to establish a packet sessionin the target technology network.

As described above, one criteria for the mobile device to considerbefore conducting network entry are the Quality of Service requirementsfor the connection. Thus, the mobile device determines 206 the Qualityof Service requirements for packet services it is currently receivingfor the current packet session via the serving network. If the Qualityof Service requirements indicate that the current session includes oneor more QoS sensitive or real-time services, the mobile device proceedsalong path 208. Because of the Quality of Service level so indicates,the mobile device initiate 210 initial network entry and sessionestablishment/pre-registration procedures with the target network, whichin this case is the 4G network. After completing initial network entryand pre-registration/session/establishment procedures, the mobile device106 continues 212 to receive packet service from the serving networkwithout receiving packet services from the target network. Therefore,the second session at the target network remains dormant or idle so thatit is not providing packet services to the multi-mode mobile device QoSsensitive real time packet services supported via the first packetsession. This state continues along path 213 until the multi-mode mobiledevice determines 214 that inter-technology handover is required fromthe serving network to the target network. There can be many knownreasons that such an inter-technology handover is necessary, such asunacceptable signal margin in the serving network. At such time, themobile device 106 determines 216 if is initial network entry proceduresand session establishment/pre-registration has been completed. If so,the mobile device continues on path 218 and completes 220 theinter-technology handover from the serving network to the target networkwithout having to complete network entry and sessionregistration/establishment procedures.

Returning to step 206, the multi-mode mobile device 106 determines thatnone of its services currently supported at the serving network are QoSsensitive or have real-time requirements and the mobile device proceedsalong path 222 to step 212 where it continues to receive packet servicefrom the serving network 102. At some point, a real-time or QoSsensitive service may be added to the mobile device's packet session 224while operating on the serving network 102. After a QoS sensitiveservices or real time services are added, the process returns to step210 where the mobile device can complete network entry procedures andsession pre-registration for inter-technology handover to the targetnetwork 104. The mobile device will then have completed initial networkentry procedures and session establishment prior to when it detects, instep 214, that inter-technology handover is required. Returning to step216, the multi-mode mobile device 106 can determine that session setuphas not been performed and that there is no session pre-registrationwith the target network 104. The mobile device therefore proceeds alongpath 226 to complete 228 the call setup/network entry and sessionestablishment/registration procedures for session with the targetnetwork. Once these operations are complete, the mobile device proceedsto step 220 where it completes the handover to the target network. Ascan be seen the handover to the target network is completed after themulti-mode mobile device detects that the handover is required. In thosesituations where the original call or session is for QoS sensitive orreal-time sessions, the call setup and pre-registration for the secondsession in the target network is initiated in advance, but the callsetup for the second session in less sensitive or non-real-time sessionsis delayed until the time of handover from the serving network to thetarget network. In an alternate embodiment, upon detecting an alternatetechnology network by the mobile device step 204 while in a dualcoverage zone, it is possible to complete initial network entry andsession establishment procedures at target technology 210 withoutconsidering if there are any QoS sensitive services supported for themulti-mode mobile device step 206. After session establishmentinter-technology handover is completed to target technology network instep 220. Thus, resources used to support multi-mode mobile device'spacket in serving technology network are immediately freed up dependingon the presence or absence of QoS sensitive services supported by themulti-mode mobile device . . . .

FIG. 3 is a flow chart 300 showing the operation of the base station 126or other network entity in the target network that controls the handoverthat is operating as a part of call set up and registration in a dualtechnology coverage area's target network 104 for a multi-mode mobiledevice 106. Periodically, the entity in the target network 104 willreceive 302 requests for call setup/network entry and packet sessionestablishment/pre-registration for a multi-mode mobile device 106 forinter-technology handover purposes. The requests can be receiveddirectly from the multi-mode mobile device 106 that is operating in aserving network 102 or from the base station 108 or other network workentity within the serving network via an inter-network interface inresponse to air interface signaling received by the serving network fromthe mobile device 106. The target network 104 determines 304 if the callsetup requests are for a deferred inter-technology handover andpre-registration for a session in the target network 104. If it is notfor the purpose of a deferred inter-technology handover, the targetnetwork 104 proceeds along path 306 and begins network entry and sessionestablishment/pre-registration procedures at the target network. Inaddition, the target network 104 can complete the handover to the targetnetwork at the appropriate time.

If the target network entity determines that the call setup andregistration request is for a deferred inter-technology handover, thetarget network entity proceeds along path 310 to determine 312 if anyQoS sensitive real-time services currently exist for the mobile's packetsession. If so, the base station proceeds along path 314 to complete theinitial network entry and session setup/session pre-registrationprocedures in step 308. On the other hand, if the base stationdetermines that there are no QoS sensitive real time serves, the basestation 126 proceeds along path 316 and rejects 318 the network entryand session pre-registration.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the mobile device 106 andtarget network 104 that are determining the QoS requirements for mobiledevices services being supported for the current session in the servingnetwork and the second session in the target network, can use variousmethods to determine if the call setup and pre-registration proceduresshould be completed. For example, a threshold Quality of Service can beset and if the required Quality of Services is greater than thethreshold the call setup or pre-registration can be completed for thetarget network. If the QoS is less then the threshold, no call setup orpre-registration need be completed.

According to the description above there is a method for determiningwhether to complete initial network entry and sessionestablishment/pre-registration at a target technology network forinter-technology handover depending on the presence of QoS sensitiveservices or applications. If no QoS sensitive real-time services areactive on the dual-mode device, network entry and sessionpre-registration shall not be completed at the target technology networkfor inter-technology handover purposes. The decision to defer networkentry and session establishment/pre-registration for inter-technologyhandover based on the QoS requirements of the services currently beingsupported by the dual-mode device can be made at the MS or the network,as shown in the two exemplary embodiments described below. Otherwise,the network entry and session establishment/pre-registration iscompleted for the multi-mode mobile device to operate in the targetnetwork for when handover is required.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the artappreciates that various modifications and changes can be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention as set forth in theclaims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to beregarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and allsuch modifications are intended to be included within the scope ofpresent invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, andany element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution tooccur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical,required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims.The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including anyamendments made during the pendency of this application and allequivalents of those claims as issued.

We claim:
 1. A method comprising: initiating by a multi-mode mobiledevice a service in a first session in a first wireless network;detecting by the multi-mode mobile device a second wireless networksupporting a different access network technology than the first wirelessnetwork; determining a Quality of Service requirement for a servicesupported by the multi-mode mobile device, and completingpre-registration session establishment procedures by the multi-modemobile device for a second session in the second wireless network forinter-technology handover when the determined service supported by themulti-mode mobile device includes at least one of a QoS sensitiveservice and real time service by the first wireless network and themulti-mode mobile device wherein after completion of thepre-registration session establishment procedures the multi-mode mobiledevice receives service from the first wireless network and remainsdormant on the second wireless network.
 2. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising not completing session establishment procedures by themulti-mode mobile device for the second session in the second wirelessnetwork when the determined service supported by the multi-mode mobiledevice does not include at least one of a QoS sensitive service and realtime service.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising completingsession pre-registration procedures by the multi mode mobile device atthe second wireless network when the mobile device is supporting aQuality of Service sensitive service or real-time service.
 4. The methodof claim 1 further comprising maintaining the first session and thesecond session until handover is required.
 5. The method of claim 1further comprising handing over the first session to the second sessionwhen handover is required.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein themulti-mode mobile device has a dual mode transceiver to operate in thefirst and second networks.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein themulti-mode mobile device has a single mode transceiver to operate in thefirst and second networks.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein initiatingcall setup procedures by the multi-mode mobile device for the secondsession uses a tunnel between the first network and the second network.9. The method of claim 1 further comprising completing network entry andsession establishment procedures by the multi-mode mobile device for thesecond session in the second wireless network when no Quality of Servicesensitive services for the first session are determined and handoverbecomes necessary.
 10. A method comprising: receiving a initial networkentry signaling from a multi mode mobile device having a first sessionin a first wireless network wherein a session establishment is for asecond session in a second wireless network supporting a differentaccess network technology from the first network; determining if sessionestablishment procedures for the second session is for deferredinter-technology handover to the second network while the multi modemobile device has the first session ongoing in the first network;determining a Quality of Service requirements for a service supported bythe multi-mode mobile device if the second session is for the deferredinter-technology handover, and completing the session establishmentprocedures for the second session when the determined service supportedby the multi-mode mobile device includes at least one of QoS sensitiveservices and real-time services for the first session wherein aftercompletion of the session establishment procedures the multi-mode mobiledevice receives service from the first wireless network and remainsdormant on the second wireless network.
 11. The method of claim 10further comprising not completing session establishment procedures forthe second session when the determined service supported by themulti-mode mobile device does not include at least one of QoS sensitiveservices and real-time services.
 12. The method of claim 10 furthercomprising receiving a session-registration request for the secondsession from the multi mode mobile device.
 13. The method of claim 10further comprising rejecting the session establishment to the multi modemobile station in response to a session establishment request for thesecond session when the Quality of Service requirements for the firstsession indicates that the Quality of Service requirements of the firstsession are not for sensitive real-time services.
 14. The method ofclaim 10 further comprising handing over the multi-mode mobile device tothe second session.
 15. An apparatus comprising: a transceiver fortransmitting and receiving messages and a processor coupled to thetransceiver wherein the processor is configured to initiate a firstsession for a multi-mode mobile device in a first wireless network,determine that the multi-mode mobile device is supported by a secondwireless network that uses a different access network from the firstwireless network, determine the Quality of Service for the first sessionand initiate network entry procedures for a second session for themulti-mode mobile device in the second network when the determinedQuality of Service indicates that the first session is one of a Qualityof Service sensitive service and a real time service for the firstsession wherein after completion of the network entry procedures themulti-mode mobile device receives service from the first wirelessnetwork and remains dormant on the second wireless network.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 15 wherein the transceiver is a dual receiver anddual transmitter transceiver.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein thetransceiver is a dual receiver and single transmitter transceiver. 18.The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the processor is configured to furtherinitiate session registration procedures for the second session when theQuality of Service is determined to be one of the Quality of Servicesensitive session and a real time session.